African-Americans

[BABY J]

This right here is proof of what I am talking about, how people take for granted the abilities they have and do not understand what it is to be black. Blacks can't trace their lineage because Census records only date back to the early 1900's for black families, or did you not understand that when you asked if anyone can prove they're descendants of slaves? I guess going by your rationale black people just started showing up in the United States spontaneously when they heard they were being treated so well here.

It's a building block, typically if you can trace your family back to the southern states like South Carolina, Virginia, and other states that were in deep in the Jim Crowe era somewhere in your blood line will lead you back to Africa, but you're talking about 300 years of undocumented ancestry so you can attribute that to putting pieces to a puzzle together in the dark.

This whole thing is funny to me really because it is exactly what I explain to people, the lack of understanding or the care to understand. I don't even use the term African American but I can understand those who do.

And about your South African friend, you wouldn't understand the tension between blacks from America and Africans but your friend is entitled to his opinion either way.

Funny what people THINK they know huh Tony? Some battles aren't worth fighting bro --- I'm wondering why you even try really. We're seeing eye to eye kid - for whatever it's worth.

+1

- What Is Your Nationality/Heritage?? -

[quickdodge®]

Funny what people THINK they know huh Tony? Some battles aren't worth fighting bro --- I'm wondering why you even try really. We're seeing eye to eye kid - for whatever it's worth.

I don't post what I "think" I know. I tend to stick with what I "do" know. Or at least what I was taught by others. I'm not black, nor am I one of the many white dudes that get involved with the black race to "look cool" to blacks. I actually immersed myself, to an extent, in the black culture. I've been to many services in black churches, I've sat around and listened to the people that have been there talk. I've sat and learned. For the last two years, my riding partner was (cue Ice Cube voice) Straight Outta Kenya. Dude's been here for only 2 years. I can't tell you how many hours we talked about his home, his culture, him being right in the thick of all the battles going on around him. I love to learn.

I have no problem learning. If I am wrong on a point, I have no problem being corrected. But I won't be talked down on if I'm not 100% in the know. Later, QD.

[BABY J]

I don't post what I "think" I know. I tend to stick with what I "do" know. Or at least what I was taught by others.

You think you can "teach" me about being white? What it is like? You think b/c I have a mixed kid (you know that) that I 'all of a sudden' "KNOW" white people? Just b/c I go to church w/ her moms parents when I go to Birmingham to see them I'm "in the know"? Maybe b/c my best boy Terry is white and I hang out w/ him when I can and we roll out and fuck bitches that I'm "in the know??" I wouldn't DARE pretend that I am "in the know" just by those few areas where my life overlaps w/ the "white" culture. For 1 it's dumb - and 2 I wouldn't wanna offend a whole sect of people and pretend that their existence is so shallow that I can "be in the know" by naming a few unimportant things that I have done to mesh myself in their culture. The things I have learned from and about white culture from white men/women can ONLY be the tip of the iceberg. And even if it wasn't, that'd be ONE story out of MILLIONS of other stories. Get that right bro. We have a lot in common w/ the interracial kids - so yeah, I'd tell a BLACK man that I prob know a bit more about "white" culture than he - but I'd never say that to another white man. I'm not that "brave".

You DO have one up on a lot of people... and that is that you WILL "go there" to that point and learn for YOURSELF what little you have learned (this is not an insult, but I assure you that it's JUST a little') instead of walking around like lots of people quoting shit they "learned" in school and heard from other people and watch on the 1 sided newscasts thinking that they got shit figured out about an entire race of people.

I'm not black, nor am I one of the many white dudes that get involved with the black race to "look cool" to blacks. I actually immersed myself, to an extent, in the black culture. I've been to many services in black churches, I've sat around and listened to the people that have been there talk. I've sat and learned. For the last two years, my riding partner was (cue Ice Cube voice) Straight Outta Kenya. Dude's been here for only 2 years. I can't tell you how many hours we talked about his home, his culture, him being right in the thick of all the battles going on around him. I love to learn.

I have no problem learning. If I am wrong on a point, I have no problem being corrected. But I won't be talked down on if I'm not 100% in the know. Later, QD.

I know you don't have a problem learning - that's why we clicked from the day we met - the people that don't like "QD" is b/c they don't know "Mike". I understand that. If I didn't know Mike - I'd say you were a fuckin' asshole too (lol) -- and I wouldn't try to learn otherwise. And that's where most of society is... "learning" about black people - black culture - Jews - Germans - Indians from books when they are sitting RIGHT beside them at the bookstore - at the park - etc. "Learning" about blacks from books written by whites w/ "quotes" from black people they interviewed - THA FUCK?? Black people "learning" about white people/culture by reading books wriiten by BLACK people w/ only a few "quotes" from the 3 white people they interviewed and put in the credits. FUCKING QUIT BEING PUSSIES AND GO UP TO THEM AND ASK. We as a people (ALL PEOPLE) have missed the WHOLE FUCKING ship and it's ugly. You hate/don't like black/white/mexican people - you MIGHT get the conversation of a lifetime from some1 NOT like you @ Starbucks if you step outside of your own funk and offer them a hot chocolate and a seat at your table.

I'll keep this shit simple for all involved. You got 80 little years on this rock IF YOU'RE LUCKY! What are you gonna do w/ it? Stay in your backyard or venture out? Who are you gonna know? People like you or LOTS of people? It's all up to you - there's a LOT of world out there... GO SEE IT. There are LOTS of people out there not like you - GO LEARN ABOUT THEM - it's not hard.

/rant

[quickdodge®]

You think you can "teach" me about being white? What it is like? I have a mixed kid (you know that) my daughter is mixed - so I "KNOW" white people? B/c my best boy Terri is white and I hang out w/ him then I'm "in the know??" I wouldn't DARE pretend that I am "in the know" just by those few areas where my life overlaps w/ the "white" cluture. For 1 it's dumb - and 2 I wouldn't wanna offend a whole sect of people andpretend that their existence is so shallow that I can "be in the know" by naming a few things that I have done to mesh myself in their culture. The things I have learned from and about white culture from white men/women can ONLY be the tip of the iceberg. And even if it wasn't, that'd be ONE story out of MILLIONS of other stories. Get that right bro. We have a lot in common w/ the interracial kids - so yeah, I'd tell a BLACK man that I prob know a bit more about "white" culture than he - but I'd never say that to another white man. I'm not that "brave".

Here's where a lot of people can get it mixed up, I think you just did. I don't claim to know all about blacks. I don't claim to know half. I have NEVER claimed to know what it's like to walk in their shoes. I can understand what it's like because the compassion/humanity that is in me for another human race and their treatment is so great.... I really don't know how to explain it. Please, don't take me literally when I say I know things or learn things. So I'm not, nor have I ever, saying to anyone, you, Tony, that I know more about your culture. I know I don't. But I also won't be told that I don't know shit.

You DO have one up on a lot of people... and that is that you WILL "go there" to that point and learn for YOURSELF what little you have learned (this is not an insult, but I assure you that it's JUST 'a little') instead of walking around like lots of people quoting shit they "learned" in school and heard from other people and thinking that they got shit figured out.

Like you said, we both have mixed children and with that a more extensive knowledge on the opposite's culture than someone without. And you don't have to insist that I don't know shit (compared to what there is to know) about you motherfuckers (lolol---joke). Again, I don't claim to know all.

Also, I'm glad we clicked. You're a dude I'd hate to NOT have as a friend or not know period. I'm glad you met Mike and forgot about who QD is. Props to you, homeboy. Later, QD.